What do you do when you are eating solo?

[chirurgeon]

Being single w/o kids, I eat solo fairly regularly at home. Also being a reader I tend to always have a book with me. I know at WDW there are a lot more people watching opportunities, but do you read while you are eating?

Kim

 

[dahirsh]

I don't carry a book. Althought I don't really travel light, I've never really wanted to add the weight of a book to my park gear. I'll read my park map and times schedule while I wait for my food.

 

[Melwood23]

I am also single w/o kids, least human ones

But I am used to eating out solo. When I go to WDW I rarely take anything to read, as if it is someplace that has ambiance(sp?), like Sci Fi, I tend to look around at the decor, or if eating outside, I just take in the view, people watch.

 

[Lancer]

Normally, I just take out my park map and show time sheet and study it for what I want to do next or see what I have missed. I just bought a DSLR camera so I will probably carry around the small pocket size operators manual when I leave in a week for the world.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I buy one of those 59 cent little spiral notebooks before I go on a solo trip, and I carry it almost everywhere. When I have free time (such as when I'm sit down dining solo), I take it out and jot down notes on where I've been, what rides I rode, any particular comments, food I ate, etc. When I get home, it goes into my big ziploc bag of souveniers from my trip. I don't usually bring a book for several reasons-for one thing, if you're reading a book, you may not see some "people-watching" opportunities; also, maybe someone wants to approach you and talk to you, maybe ask you a question, but if you appear to be engrossed in a book, they're reluctant to interrupt. And, like someone else said, sometimes a whole paperback book is just too cumbersome to haul around. Remember, solo trips are all about freedom!

 

[spiceycat]

Simba's Mom - some great ideals.

I am a talker.....
So if they put me in alone place - I people watch.

but often than not I am put close to a family.

Families are generally more than ready to talk....

especially if your comments include how sweet, nice, cute....your kids are and so well -behaved....that does really work. even a child who is acting up can and sometimes does become well-behaved if you tell him/her they are....

I always like to find fellow Goofy fans....

 

[Karnak]

The idea above to take along one of those pocket-sized notebooks to write down thoughts while eating is excellent. I shall do so during my next solo visit to WDW (next month).

However, I would never burden myself with a book to read while at a park because I'd have to then carry it all day and I never carry anything when touring a park solo.

People watching is always fun, especially at WDW.

Enjoy.

 

[Epcot242]

I sometimes wear cargo shorts at WDW, so if I can fit a paperback in one of the pockets I do it. Although it doesn't necessarily mean I have to read it, at least now I have the option.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

When eating solo, I think I sit there and stare off into space most of the time!

Or I will just lazily drink my soda, or just look around. Sometimes I will get out my autograph books, or look through some digital pictures on my camera. Or I will book a restaurant with a "theme" - last week, I ate at Coral Reef, so I stared at the aquarium most of the time!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I will always bring something to read. This helps to keep me from just wolfing down my food. However, I will also pay attention to conversations nearby and often join in if I think it may be appropriate. I will do this for both CS and TS. The only exception is if I ecide to go to Teppenyaki or Biergarten where I will be at a tablre with others, then I expect to join in conversations. Since I Have had an AP since 1992, and am now a CM, I am very knowledgable about the parks and am very willing to assist people in planning.

 

[TLinden16]

I usually people watch, and watch the food come out and see what else looks good

 

[jenelope]

I'm a big people-watcher. I tend to eat at restaurants that have ample opportunity for it, too. My favorite is the Brown Derby because both times I've eaten there solo, they've seated me in the upper gallery area near the rail. I also try to eat at less busy times. My server ends up talking to me a lot more than if I was in the middle of the lunch or dinner rush. For my next trip, though, I am thinking about bringing a book with me. A friend gave me a tiny version of "Alice in Wonderland" because she knows how much I love it. It's unabridged, but it's still only about the size of a deck of cards. I may not read it, but it would be nice to have it with me!

 

[heart4dis]

I alternate between reading, checking a tour plan, journaling, people watching and chatting w/people at tables nearby. I suppose I have ADD!!

 

[DVC Sadie]

I will always bring something to read.
i always bring something good to read!

 

[Shanan]

I people watch since it can be quite entertaining especially at WDW. I went to Boma's solo in December. I had the best time since I knew my DH would hate the food there. My server was very nice and quite attentive since I was solo. I sat there enjoying my dinner, African wine and listening to the different languages around me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I read whatever's available (park map, schedule, etc).
I smile in a friendly manner at the diners nearby, and maybe say something. If they seem receptive, I join in their conversations

 

[#1DizGal]

Simba's Mom and I have the same idea. I journal every trip I take with one of those little spiral pads! It's so fun to look back on the stuff that happened during every trip!

 

[macraven]

when i enter a park, i pick up 2 park guides. first i mark the date on the top.

so, when i eat, i make my notes on those guides. notes such as what time i was riding, any details i need to later put in my journal.

i list food and prices for that period.

on the back of it i list the shops where i need to return to later for purchases for the end of the day.

when i return in the evening, i go over my guide maps for any added info and pack it in my suitcase to later use to type out my notes in the journal when i get home.
i get weird, i write down when i get on the bus and length of time for travel from point a to point b.

so easy to stick the map in my pocket . i tried the 59 cent spiral but the wire always pinches me when i go on the roller coasters.

i do ts not just cs at the parks solo.

 

[#1DizGal]

One of my favorite sit down spots is Mama Melrose's at the Studios. A delicious cheese flatbread pizza and a Bellini (or three).

 

[gatour]

Both me and my wife are avid readers. I have computer backpack that is the perfect size for magazines. I put in several magazines and my wife carries one or two paperback, then we are all set for standing line, and there are a few places (the lounge in Japan) where we take a break and have a couple of drinks while reading/people watching. We do read at dinner also.

When I was single and want to go out to dinner, I always brought reading material. I would also chat up the servers.